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Hi, i wonder if anyone can help. A few years ago i was training with the Shudokan Institute of Aikido in Watford, Bushey and Hatfield but after coming back from travelling i decided to start training again but the classes aren't being held anymore. Did anyone else attend these classes or know of them and does the Shudokan Institute of Aikido still teach in or near Watford, if not can anyone recommend any other good dojos in or near Watford?

Sensei Andrew Cullerne is back in Devon and Sensei Richard Brownbill is now training with the Kenshinkai, Yoshinkan Aikido (as am I). PM me if you want and I can also give you Richard's (Reg) email address. I am sure he would be more than happy to have another ex-Shudokan training there with him.

I know Tony Yates had a Yoshinkan Club in Bushy, which I believe relocated to Watford. I can't find any info on it, but the BAB website lists these clubs in and around Watford, a large Yoshinkan presence .

Just to add to what the others have said. Herts is a hot bed of Yoshinkan. Sensei Yates teaches in Watford and Hatfield [Europeanaikido.com], there is Gadi Shor a 5th dan ex hombu instructor who teaches in Rickmansworth, there is also Terry Harrison of the kenshinkai who teaches in Edgware and Borehamwood.

Having known all these instructors for many years I would recommend any of them.

Sensei Andrew Cullerne is back in Devon and Sensei Richard Brownbill is now training with the Kenshinkai, Yoshinkan Aikido (as am I). PM me if you want and I can also give you Richard's (Reg) email address. I am sure he would be more than happy to have another ex-Shudokan training there with him.

Si

Si,
Cheers Si, It'd be really handy if you could put me in touch with Richard as he was a great teacher, even if you could just tell me where he teaches then i can maybe get to one of his classes if it's not too far from me.
Cheers
Dan

If my memories serve correctly, the name Shudokan refers to the dojo started by Sensei Thambhy Rajah based in Seremban, Malaysia. Melbourne Shudokan is run by his nephew Sensei Joe Thambu, a respected high ranking YoshiOrc, err I mean Yoshikaner. KL Shudokan... maybe it is a branch dojo by some of its senior members?

If my memories serve correctly, the name Shudokan refers to the dojo started by Sensei Thambhy Rajah based in Seremban, Malaysia. Melbourne Shudokan is run by his nephew Sensei Joe Thambu, a respected high ranking YoshiOrc, err I mean Yoshikaner. KL Shudokan... maybe it is a branch dojo by some of its senior members?

Boon.

Ah Boon,

Don't be mistake, i'm not attraching attention from Si Wilson. Serdang Dojo has runned by Ramlan Senei, he is currently IYAF 3rd Dan. Darren Sensei was keiko under Joe Sensei too, now he is chief instructor of Yoshinkan Hombu Dojo International Department. Next year, Darren Sensei will back to Sydney restart a dojo.

I don't know excatly about Shudokan in UK, Poland, Germany, France and Canada, that's why i like to ask answer from Si Wilson.

I don't know excatly about Shudokan in UK, Poland, Germany, France and Canada, that's why i like to ask answer from Si Wilson.

My pleasure.

Sensei Edwin Stratton was serving in the British Army in Malaysia in the late '50s early '60s. He went to the Shudokan dojo to train in Judo (as Thamby Rajah Sensei was the first Judo black belt in Malaysia as well as the first Aikido black belt), but Master Thamby was teaching Aikido, so Sensei Stratton started to practice Yoshinkan Aikido under Master Thamby.

In the early '60s, Sensei Stratton returned to the UK opened the first Yoshinkan Aikido dojo in the UK, in Bushy, North London. Sensei Stratton, as Master Thamby's student called his dojo Shudokan as well. The Shudokan was the UK Yoshinkan and was until 1986 when it parted with the Yoshinkan and became independent, headed by Master Thamby. Some dojo within Shudokan wanted to stay with the Yoshinkan, so the Kenshinkai was formed by Sensei Eayrs.

The school in Poland came about when a Polish Aikikai student visited the Shudokan Exeter dojo while in the UK with work. They took him to meet Sensei Stratton, and he was so impressed that when he got back to Poland, he invited Sensei Stratton to go to Poland to teach a Seminar, which he did. After the Seminar, the Polish clubs resigned from the Aikikai and joined the Shudokan. I know them well, as my wife started her Aikido in the Shudokan Gliwice dojo.

Sadly, Sensei Stratton passed away on the 9th of March 2000. I miss him greatly.

The Shudokan in Germany is run by Sensei Jamal Measara, who is Malaysian. He is a senior Okinawa Karate teacher and also teaches Aikido. He learnt his Aikido from Master Thamby and teaches "Shudokan Aikido", but I do not know if he has ever been a member of the Yoshinkan in Germany. I know Sensei Stratton used to go out to Germany to teach.

I did run a dojo in the North west of Germany for a couple of years, while I was posted there, but from the UK school, not Sensei Jamal's.

The Shudokan dojo in France is a dojo run by a young man called Lionel Welch, who learnt Aikido from Sensei Ken Robson (one of Sensei Stratton's student, and now head of the Shudokan in the UK) in Nottingham, and his dojo is a member of the UK Shudokan, like the Polish clubs.

Sensei Joe Thambu has always remained within the Yoshinkan, and also Shudokan to his uncle, Master Thamby Rajah, head of the Shudokan.

About the Shudokan dojo in KL. Sensei Ramlan Ahmed received his 1st Dan from Inoue Sensei (Yoshinkan Kancho), his 2nd Dan from Thamby Sensei, and his 3rd Dan from Inoue Sensei.

I have met and trained with Mark (in Malayasia). I must say "hello" again to him, as it has been a while. We did talk via email a couple of years back, when he went to Indonesia, as I wanted to link to a Shudokan Indonesia web site, but he didnīt have one.

I have met and trained with Mark (in Malayasia). I must say "hello" again to him, as it has been a while. We did talk via email a couple of years back, when he went to Indonesia, as I wanted to link to a Shudokan Indonesia web site, but he didnīt have one.

Thanks for the reminder. I must say "hi"!

Shudokan Indonesia has website already, but temporary just Indonesian Language.

How are you? I hope you are still training regularly at MAA.
Just curious, you still have not answered my PM and aikipost regarding the KI Society dojo(s) in Malaysia. Many of us who rely on the information provided by you have not managed to contact them. Are these bogus dojo(s)?

Some of us aikikai lads have got the opportunities to train with Joe Thambu sensei and Ramlan sensei both in Seremban dojo and in the Sri Kembangan dojo. The experience was gratifying from the aikido and budo point of views. Terima kasih to both Joe and Ramlan sensei.

I think Si got most of that right. The Shudokan in the UK and Europe still has close ties with the yoshinkan and in particular the Aikido Shudokan and Shudokan Institute of Aikido Seremban. The latter 2 are still officially affiliated with the IYAF and we are not.

BTW I currently train with S. Andy Cullerne. Richard is not training any more. I would Highly reccomend Sensei Harrison (Sendokan Dojo) or Sensei Rubens (Meidokan Dojo). I have not trained wiht Sensei Yates but I hear good things.